
Riding the Subway: T-Money Card
There are two ticket options for using the Seoul Subway: A T-Money Card and a Single-Use T-Money Card. I recommend purchasing the T-Money Card as the single-use costs more and has to be purchased each time you enter the subway.
The T-Money card is the transit card needed to move around on the Seoul subway and bus system. It can also be used to pay for taxi rides! The T-Money card is very economical and only needs to be purchased once and refilled each time it runs low.
To purchase a T-Money card, use one of the T-Money machines or go to the counter at any convenience store (which are located in most subway stations) and ask for the card (₩ 2500).
Adding money to the T-Money card is simple and can be done inside a convenience store with a T-Money symbol, or directly at a T-Money machine.
At the T-Money reloading machine, directions are provided in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. Here are the steps for adding money to the T-Money card at the machine:
- Step 1: Choose your language
- Step 2: Place the T-Money card in the ‘reloading’ section
- Step 3: Chooses the amount of money you want to put on the card. The fare is calculated by distance traveled)
- Step 4: Put your money in the machine – only cash and coins are accepted
- Step 5: Wait for your card to reload and then remove your card from the machine
Entering the Subway in Seoul
To enter the subway, you need to tap your card on the – that states ‘Place Your Card Here’ (카드 대는 곳).
The top number on the reader tells you how much money it costs for the base fare (₩ 1050) and the bottom number tells you how much money is left on your card.
If you do not tap you card hard enough, or if there is not enough money on your card, you will not be able to enter. At that time, a little gate will block your entry and a small alarm will go off.
Finding Your Way In the Seoul Subway System
Finding where you need to go on the subway is extremely simple and there is signage in each station telling you where the exits are, where the transfer points are, which direction each train is heading in, and the current, previous, and following stop names.
Line maps are located on every platform telling you in which direction the train is heading in along with the names of the stops in that direction.
Boarding & Exiting the Train in Seoul
The platforms are lined with glass doors that align with the doors of the subway cars. In front of each door, there are feet and arrows. The arrows have numbers on them (i.e. 3-1) and are the same on each platform to assist people in finding each other. The feet tell you where to stand in order to board the train.
It is polite to wait on the side of the doors as people exit the train before boarding, however you will find that many people do not always wait until people get off before squeezing their way on.
When you are exiting the train, there will be a screen telling you what stop you are at, what transfers are available at the station, and on which side the doors will open on.
Riding the Subway in Seoul
Riding the subway is very convenient, and like any major city can get very crowded during rush hours and holidays.
The seating all the way on the far ends of each car are meant for the elderly, so avoid sitting in those seats.
The seats in the middle of the car can be used by anyone and – are conveniently located above the seats to hold onto.
Exiting the Seoul Subway System
The first thing that needs to be remembered is that you have to ‘tap-out’ of the subway system since it charges by distance traveled. You can tap-out the same way that you tapped-in to enter the system.
Each subway station has multiple exits that point in various directions. Signage around the subway station and maps located in each subway station will help you to know where to go in the local area.
If you are meeting someone, it is best to ask them which exit you will meet at as some stations (such as Gangnam Station – 강남역) can have upwards of 12 exits.
Additional Notes + Video
– Downloading a subway map application onto your smartphone is a great idea for navigating the large system. I used the Metroid HD app for Android, however, there are a number of other free apps available for downloading.
– Cell phone and data service are available on the train, both above ground and underground.
– Bathrooms are free of charge and are located in each subway station, generally near the exits.
– The T-Money card can be used in all cities in Korea that have metro systems (such as Busan and Daegu), however they cannot be recharged in these cities.
While you are in Korea, consider checking out some things to do only a short ride away from Seoul:
Thank you for this write up! I’m going to Seoul for the first time in September and am trying to collect all the information about places to see and how to take the subway. This is super helpful!!
Yay! I am glad you found it helpful Samantha and I hope you have a lot of fun there 😀 LMK if you need more info.
So nice posting about transportation in Korea. Here is one more tip for you. If you are going to the Seoul area from the airport(in Incheon), you can buy a express train with comfortable seat. Also there are some nice packages you can purchase for example, ‘express train and T-money card’, ‘express train and international taxi’ and ‘express train and EG sim card’ these three combined packages. You can choose whatever you want to. So if you are interested in these packages, you can check all information at ‘travel center’ in ICN. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing! I usually take the express train or the bus when I head to ICN! I will make a video about that on my next trip ^^
Thank you for the update Myrisha! I plan to visit Korea again next year so I will be making adjustments 😀
This was SO incredibly helpful!!! I’m slightly terrified of mass transit, particularly in non-English speaking countries, but this explanation and video has me MUCH less scared about using it when I go in May. Thank you!!!!!!!
I am so happy to hear that Beth. Have a wonderful trip and I am glad that I could help!
This is by far the most helpful and thorough post about the Seoul subway system I have found! Thank you for writing this; it is incredibly helpful and appreciated!
Hi Katie, I am so glad you found it to be helpful! 🙂